Like most people, I look forward to trying to wind down and relax in the evening, which generally involves avoiding things like treading on a slug with your bare foot at 10:30pm, (last night, don’t even ask), clearing up a carpet of crushed breadsticks, (most nights, because obviously three plates of pasta at dinner is not nearly enough), or picking up a carefully dropped path of Lego which leads to a mountain of Lego.

I think most of us have little routines around bedtime that help signal to our brains that this is time to start to prepare to switch off. I do try to make the effort to look after my skin. Whether it makes much difference is debatable. When I tell people I’ve got six children they often look shocked, (mainly because in 2018 that’s just abnormal) but after the usual, ‘You’re brave’ they might say, ‘You don’t look like you’ve got six children’. Not really sure what that means, what does someone look like who has six kids? I mean, Kate Price has 5 I think… did they expect me to look like her? But often they say, ‘You don’t look old enough’ or my favourite from a work colleague, ‘Do you have Botox?’. It’s probably a combination of the fact that I started having kids relatively young, (23), and that fact that I often wear make up.

Anyway, these are most of the products I like to use most daysGarnier Skin Active Cleanser

My skin is oily and occasionally prone to break outs. After removing my make up with micellar water, I like to use this. I wouldn’t spend a lot of time and effort on a cleanser, let’s face it, it gets washed off very quickly. But I do think a double cleanse is important so would never just use micellar water on it’s own.

Revitalising Jam Face Mask by Superdrug

I love slapping on a face mask for while I’m in the bath. This one has Vitamin C and goji berry which are great for brightening the skin. It also contains sugar grains so is a gentle exfoliant.

Skin Perfecting Resurfacing Pads by Primark

These contains glycolic acid which is good for brightening your skin, reducing pigmentation and anti aging. They also contain hyalauronic acid which is hydrating and helps give your skin a plumped up look. I often use the Nip & Fab version of these.

Simply Pure Hydrating Serum by Superdrug

This is kind of a wonder product for those such as myself who cannot afford to splurge on skin care. If you don’t believe me read this article by Guardian beauty columnist Sali Hughes. It’s ridiculously cheap at about £2.69 and is often on special offer.

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid

If you still haven’t heard of The Ordinary, you care about your skin and you are on a budget, shame on you. Retinol is one of the only skin care ingredients proven to actually do anything to prevent aging and even reverse it and this is one of the most affordable forms of it. Beloved by beauty bloggers such as Fleur de Force, it costs a mere £7.75 on Beauty Bay.

Aldi Lacura Prorevive Night Cream

Aldi often have amazing skin care that sells out really quickly. This night cream contains retinol and has a lovely light gel consistency.

Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

As most people are aware, coconut oil is a great moisturizer as it’s full of vitamin E. I only put it under my eyes as apparently it’s very comedogenic, (blocks pores), but this isn’t an issue on the skin around your eyes.

This might seem like a lot of products but my routine helps me unwind and I do think if you make an effort with your skin you will notice the difference.